ARCHITECTURAL TRENDS 2022

Looking back on the last year, the design and architecture industry has seen dramatic shifts as a result of the global pandemic and climate crisis. Ronald Lu & Partners, the award-winning architecture practice known for its human-centric approach and future-ready designs, looks ahead and shares its predictions for 2022 that will shape the future of architecture. A future with a strong focus on ways in which to combat climate crisis in support of the COP26 Global Summit taking place this month. 

The architecture of the future will be even more global, and expand on key themes such as materiality, health and wellness, and inclusivity by making spaces more accessible.

Designing for extreme temperatures 

By 2050, the number of people affected by rising temperatures will skyrocket by 800% to 1.6 billion, and high-density cities will see extensive environmental, social and economic impacts. Today, higher temperatures means higher energy usage to cool buildings down. Hot weather damages curing concrete, decreasing its strength and durability, and higher humidity levels degrade and corrode equipment. This means architects must incorporate adaptation strategies into projects in the form of better building design, which include climate-responsive site planning and nature-based solutions such as natural ventilation and greening. These features should not be “add-ons” to projects, but should play a central role. 

Ventilation

Extreme temperatures will lead to more energy being used for cooling building interiors. A 1°C increase translates to a 9% increase in energy use for residential buildings and a 3% increase for commercial and industrial buildings, so passive cooling and natural ventilation must be integrated into buildings from conception to completion. Looking forward, heat-sensitive urban planning will incorporate elements like linear parks and green corridors to enhance ventilation, and high “sky-view factors” to cool cities by releasing trapped heat into the sky. Better urban ventilation can provide cooling through breezeways, air paths, non-building areas, and building porosity and setbacks; as well as alternative shading and cooling methods like canopies and water features like spray parks or splash pads. 

Greening

Greening also plays a considerable part in cooling cities – green roofs and walls create enhanced insulation that reduces energy loss and heat gain. Trees and other urban vegetation for example creates shading and cooling through evapotranspiration. Ronald Lu & Partner’s Zero Carbon Park was the first building in Hong Kong to produce zero carbon emissions – something which is notoriously difficult to achieve in a hot and humid climate whilst still ensuring users’ thermal comfort. The Zero Carbon Park features Hong Kong’s first urban native woodland to cool the summer prevailing wind before it reaches the plaza and the building. Shade in the outdoor spaces alleviates thermal discomfort. 

Sponge Cities

Designed to mimic the natural processes of soil, the use of sustainable urban water management strategies is transforming cities. Like a sponge, this technique works to absorb rainwater surface runoff, which is then naturally filtered by the soil. Infiltration of the runoff allows aquifers to replenish and receive waterbodies to regenerate eliminating sources of malodours water and restoring natural habitats.

Architectural features in dense urban areas will include rainwater harvesting, generally used for the irrigation of landscaped areas, designed to collect rainwater and slowly release it when needed. Other features include green roofs, rain gardens and permeable paving, used on pedestrian paths, cycle paths, outdoor play areas and car parks.

Biophilic buildings

To design a better life in high-density urban areas, biophilic design is imperative. Biophilic design is a concept that connects buildings to the natural environment through direct and indirect uses of nature. It is important to incorporate the natural world into our architectural surroundings to promote happiness and wellness. Research over the past few decades has shown us that contact with the natural world has healing properties as it enhances human wellbeing in a multitude of ways: by reducing stress, improving mood and self-esteem, speeding recovery from illness, and enhancing cognitive skills and work performance. In architecture, biophilic design is integrated to the built environment on façades, walls, roofs, roads, and structures, but to be effective, elements must be connected, complementary and integrated with the overall local environment.

Biodiversity 

By incorporating nature into everyday spaces, it also makes room for increased biodiversity in high density areas, somewhere not considered to be naturally biodiverse. Biodiversity is often synonymous with rural landscapes or the countryside rather than cities but since the pandemic, cities are beginning to recognise the importance of providing urban habitats that can support biodiversity and realign human interests with nature. Not only can biodiversity help aid global recovery, it can create a better standard of living in high density urban areas by harmoniously living and aligning with nature. 

Wellness in the workplace

For companies around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered new challenges for physical and mental health in the workplace, making it a vital time for organisations to consider how to confront these challenges and offer holistic support. This goes beyond being eco-friendly, it involves being human-centric and encouraging more sustainable and encouraging health-conscious lifestyles. These ideas will be incorporated into the overall design of buildings, including the workplace, and should include specialist lighting design to optimise natural light, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, an emphasis on optimising air quality, and open spaces that encourage social interaction and collaboration. 

Last year, Ronald Lu & Partners opened its Shanghai office, a trailblazer in setting out health-first factors designed to benefit all staff, both physically and mentally. The office offers nutritional advice, psychological support, designated fitness areas, and even flexible daytime nap facilities. 

Connectivity 

The spatial relationship between nature, culture and the city is crucial. Future forward architecture should create a quality living circle that connects people in high-density urban environments with world-class public amenities for living, working and travelling. Alongside connecting people to places, the idea is to encourage ecological conservation, streamline information technology, reduce travel time, and stimulate smart city management, to raise the quality of life for residents. 

In developments like China’s Greater Bay Area, a project designed for ultra-high density urban environments, the goal is to connect the cities of Hong Kong, Macau, and nine fast-developing municipalities in Guangdong Province. This combined city cluster will offer distinct geographical advantages and economic strengths, and innovation and education will accelerate, cultural hubs will become more vibrant and integrated as there will be access to high-quality arts and culture programmes, and scientific and technological achievements will be significantly enhanced. 

Horizontal expansion

With populations rising and more people seeking urban living, we have seen the continued development of high-rise buildings to accommodate the demand, as less land is used for development. Moving forward, with the challenges that vertical cities face, horizontal city expansion is predicted, from projects like China’s transit-oriented development to land reclamation. Lantau Tomorrow, a Hong Kong development project, is a reclamation in the eastern waters off Lantau Island which proposes the studies on artificial islands in central waters for the development of the East Lantau Metropolis for long-term land supply.

Similarly, the design of Integral by Ronald Lu & Partners, a modern garment manufacturing plant in China that is integrated with the landscape, located near the scenic Guilin in Guangxi Province, is intentionally extended horizontally instead of vertically. It seamlessly integrates the large production workshop and craft centre with the natural environment. In turn, this makes the site’s greenery the main focus, with the buildings playing a supporting role in the overall aesthetic.

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